Sports News for Thursday September 15, 2016

>>Cubs Shut Out Cards, Reduce Magic Number To One

(St. Louis, MO) — Jon Lester fired eight shutout innings as the Cubs blanked the Cardinals 7-0 at Busch Stadium. Lester struck out eight while allowing three hits and a walk en route to his 17th win of the season. David Ross hit a two-run homer and Anthony Rizzo went deep twice for Chicago, which took two-of-three in the series. Carlos Martinez struck out nine, but surrendered four runs in six frames to fall to 14-and-8 with the loss. Stephen Piscotty, Yadier Molina and Randall Grichuk had hits for St. Louis. The Cubs’ magic number to clinch the NL Central is now one.

>>Wacha Returns From DL In Relief

(St. Louis, MO) — Pitcher Michael Wacha is back with the Cardinals. He was activated from the disabled list before yesterday’s game against the Cubs. Wacha pitched in relief for the first time since 2014, giving up three runs in the ninth inning. He had been out with a shoulder injury.

>>Indians Quiet White Sox

(Chicago, IL) — The Indians came to life with a 6-1 win over the White Sox in the third of four games at U.S. Cellular Field. Cleveland had dropped the first two in the series. Coco Crisp hit a three-run homer to lead the offense, while Josh Tomlin had a successful return to the rotation. Tomlin improved to 12-and-8, holding Chicago to one run over five innings. The Tribe has a six-game lead over the Tigers for first place in the American League Central. Detroit and Cleveland open a three-game set on Friday. Carlos Rodon gave up all six runs to take the loss. Adam Eaton drove in the only run for the Sox.

>>Orioles Slip Red Sox

(Boston, MA) — Mark Trumbo’s major league-leading 42nd home run was the difference as the Orioles slipped by the Red Sox, 1-0, at Fenway Park. Kevin Gausman tossed eight shutout innings to earn the win and Zach Britton earned his 43rd save. The O’s took two-of-three in the series and are a game behind the Red Sox in the AL East standings. Rick Porcello tossed eight innings of one-run ball, but fell to 20-and-4 on the season for Boston. Porcello fell to 13-and-1 at Fenway Park.

>>Jets, Bills Battle On “Thursday Night Football”

(Orchard Park, NY) — The New York Jets and Buffalo Bills lock horns in an AFC East battle on “Thursday Night Football.” The Bills will wear their all-red Color Rush uniforms, while the Jets will be in all-white. The Jets wore all-green last season against the all-red Bills, making it difficult for colorblind fans watching on television to distinguish between the two teams. The Jets and Bills are both coming off Week One losses. Gang Green lost 23-22 at home to the Bengals on Mike Nugent’s 47-yard field goal in the final minute. The Bills lost a 13-7 decision at Baltimore. Buffalo has won five straight against the Jets.

>>Six Former Colts Nominated For Pro Football Hall of Fame

(Canton, OH) — Bob Sanders, Edgerrin James, and five other former Colts are among the 94 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. James is the 13th-leading rusher in NFL history, and Sanders was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Colts. Offensive lineman Chris Hinton, center Ray Donaldson, linebacker Cornelius Bennett, and Simeon Rice are the other former Colts who earned a nomination.

>>Bears Preparing For Eagles

(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are preparing for Monday night’s home opener against the Eagles. Chicago is looking to bounce back from last Sunday’s 23-14 loss to the Texans in Houston. The Eagles are 1-and-0 after blasting the Browns in Week One.

>>Mizzou, Illini Football Back In Action In Two Days

(Undated) — Missouri and Illinois are back on their home field in just two days. The Tigers welcome 13th-ranked Georgia to Faurot Field for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. Missouri is 1-and-1 after blowing out Eastern Michigan last weekend. The Fighting Illini host Western Michigan, with kickoff at 3 p.m.

Coming up this Friday Night, it’s the Talk 101 High School Game of the Week presented by World of Powersports as the MacArthur Generals Play host to Jacksonville. The Dale’s Southlake Pharmacy Pregame Show gets underway at 6:30p.m. and the Kickoff follows at 7:00p.m. Join Scott Busboom and Kevin Hale with Week 4 High School Football action from MacArthur this Friday night on Talk 101, and online listening available at decatur radio dot com.

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